Sir Bradley Wiggins will lead a strong Team Sky squad at the Tour of Britain which begins on Sunday 15 September in Peebles, Scotland.

The 33-year-old will line up as part of a six-man squad featuring three British riders in the team’s home tour.

The race is a great opportunity for the team to thank UK fans for their continued support, taking in stages in Scotland, England and Wales over eight tough days.

Sir Bradley Wiggins will be joined in a six-man line up by: Ian Stannard, Josh Edmondson, Bernhard Eisel, Mathew Hayman and David Lopez.

Speaking about the Tour of Britain Sir Bradley Wiggins said: “I’m really looking forward to the Tour of Britain; it’s a race I’m fond of and it’s nice to see it growing in stature each year.

“The crowds and the roads make it special and it’s always very humbling to see the fantastic support that we get from the public.

“I’m coming into the race feeling really good. It finishes in close proximity to the world time trial championships which is my main late-season goal.

“The Tour of Britain is always a tough event and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Fellow British rider Ian Stannard added: “The Tour of Britain has become a massive event in the cycling calendar and I’m really excited to be racing at home.

“There’s a real enthusiasm for cycling at the moment – especially following Brad and Froomey’s Tour wins and the Olympics – so I’m really looking forward to competing again on British roads.

“We race all over the world but it’s always nice to compete in front of your home fans. With such a high-level race in the UK naturally I want to be there.”

The full Team Sky line-up for the 2013 Tour of Britain will be:

Sir Bradley Wiggins Great Britain – age 33
The 2012 Tour de France winner and Olympic time trial champion returns to competitive action on UK roads at the Tour of Britain. Wiggins was forced to withdraw from the race last season with a stomach bug, but is raring to go in 2013 as he finalises his preparation for the world time trial championships.

Josh Edmondson Great Britain – age 21
In his first season with Team Sky, Yorkshireman Edmondson has demonstrated his talent in stage race competition all over the world. Last seen excelling at altitude at the USA Pro Challenge, Edmondson now returns to the scene of another breakthrough performance in 2012.

Bernhard Eisel Austria – age 32
The affable Austrian is no stranger to the Tour of Britain and is a crowd favourite among British fans. The Classics specialist has experience in abundance and an uncanny ability to read a race – a key factor in a tour featuring six-man teams and without the use of radios.

Mathew Hayman Australia – age 35
The Australian carries some impressive form into the event and will no doubt come to the fore when the race is at its toughest. Another powerful rouleur, Hayman makes his third appearance at the Tour of Britain in Team Sky colours.

David Lopez Spain – age 32
A new signing at the start of the 2013 campaign, Lopez has slotted straight into the team’s style of riding. A recent stage winner at the Eneco Tour and member of the team’s Tour de France-winning squad, the Spaniard brings experience and work ethic in abundance.

Ian Stannard Great Britain – age 26
The Brit has been in great form off the back of a debut Tour de France which saw him help Chris Froome to a memorable victory. The former national champion is a crowd favourite, well known for his attacking riding and never-say-die attitude.